Sam Gill PhD has researched and taught world dance history for more than a decade at the University of Colorado at Boulder. His recent writings on dance are “SalsAmigos: Teens Dancing Health and Happiness” and Dancing: Stepping to the Rhythms of Life. In 1999, he co-founded, with his daughter Jenny, Bantaba World Dance and Music in Boulder, where thousands have been offered dance, music instruction and performances from dozens of cultures throughout the world. For the last six years, Sam has taught salsa in several forms to hundreds of dancers of all ages and levels. In 2003, Sam organized and began coaching a group of teenage girls – Salseritas – who performed widely and competed internationally. They dance the rueda de casino form of salsa. In 2005 and 2006 the Salseritas took fourth place at the annual “Cuba Baila!” international rueda competition in Vancouver. Videos of the Salseritas. The Salseritas have now become an all-ages salsa performance group. Sam has also taught rueda de casino sessions many times at New Vista High School in Boulder. In 2006 Sam founded SalsAmigos, a non-profit devoted to teaching salsa (rueda de casino style) to teens. Through his work with young people, Sam has developed an approach that teaches all dancers both “lead” and “follow” parts—a significant innovation in the form and in the benefits to the participants. Watch a video lecture series that highlights the benefits of SalsAmigos dancing and teen development SalsAmigos Video Lecture Series SalsAmigos was awarded a multi-year grant from the Youth Opportunities Board of the City of Boulder. Sam also teaches bachata and bolero. His most recent salsa teaching is called Salsa Challenge, an intensive technique and fundamentals based course to train salsa dancers. Check out Sam’s Website
Jenny Gill received her bachelors degree in Ethnomusicology from the University of Washington in 2000. Promptly after graduation she began a eight year business endeavor with her father Sam Gill and co-owned, directed and managed Bantaba World Dance and Music in Boulder. During this time she studied many forms of African dance and performed regularly. She then became the principal administrator and director of SalsAmigos a non-profit dance program for teens in 2006. Please visit www.SalsAmigos.org for more information.
Jenny has been dancing with the Salseritos – a performance dance group that dances the Cuban style of salsa called rueda de casino, since the fall of 2006. She is a trained dance instructor of both rueda de casino and Salsa Challenge partner salsa and teaches salsa style and technique for follows.
Carlos and Jenny created the SalsaTALK Podcast – The Voice of the Salsa Dance Community in 2008. The podcast is fun and Jenny & Carlos enjoy discussing all aspects of salsa dance on the show.
Most recently, Jenny has been involved as a Search Engine Optimization analyst since 2008 and does the following computer ‘stuff’ on a daily basis: Search Engine Marketing, Internet Marketing, Social Networking, Video Editing, Web Design, Email Marketing, and any other business needs that may arise 
Salsa Challenge In The News
Boulder County Steps into Celebrate Dance Month
Workout of the Week: Rueda de Casino
Local Fitness Instructors Share the Secrets Behind How The Design Their Classes
Fund Raiser Teams Boulder ‘Stars’ with Local Dance Teachers
Women Acting Up: A Local Dance, Dance Revolution
Students Add Salsa To Their Steps
Dance Studio Tires of Mixed Use Conflict
